How Much Does Tenerife Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Tenerife offers a versatile cost landscape that caters to both budget-conscious backpackers and high-end resort seekers. While it is generally more affordable than mainland Spanish hubs like Madrid or Barcelona, the island's dual nature means expenses can vary significantly between the local north and the tourist-heavy south. Visitors can expect to spend anywhere from $88 / €75 per day for a solo budget trip to over $683 / €580 for a luxury experience featuring premium boat tours and 5-star colonial stays. The unique tax status of the Canary Islands helps keep prices for alcohol and fuel lower than in most of Europe, though recent environmental measures, such as a $18 / €15 eco-tax for Teide National Park, have added new considerations for hikers. Overall, Tenerife remains a moderate destination where savvy planning allows for a high-quality island experience without the price tag of the Balearics.
Is Tenerife expensive to visit?
Tenerife is a moderately priced island destination where travelers should expect a daily budget range of $88–$683 / €75–€580 depending on whether they choose local guachinches or luxury beachfront resorts.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Tenerife
$88
per person /day
$247
per person /day
$683
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $265 | $742 | $2,048 |
| 5-Day Trip | $441 | $1,236 | $3,413 |
| 7-Day Trip | $618 | $1,730 | $4,779 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15% buffer to cover variable costs such as the $18 / €15 Teide eco-tax and sunbed rentals on southern beaches. Small extras like the $1.18 / €1 terrace service charge or the $2.35 / €2 physical bus card fee can also add up over a week-long stay.
How Does It Compare?
See how Tenerife stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Tenerife
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Standard price for a single course and a drink at a local cafe. | $18 €15 |
| Local Beer (Pint of Dorada) Can be as low as $1.77 / €1.5 during happy hours in non-tourist areas. | $2.94 €2.5 |
| Cappuccino Ordering a 'Cortado' like a local usually costs ~$1.41 / €1.2. | $2 €1.7 |
| Supermarket Essentials (Bread/Milk/Eggs) Combined cost of basic breakfast staples at a local market. | $6.51 €5.53 |
Transport (6)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| TITSA Day Travelcard Card itself costs an additional $2.35 / €2. Valid for individual use. | $12 €10 |
| TITSA 7-Day Travelcard Unlimited trips; requires a $2.35 / €2 physical card purchase. | $59 €50 |
| TITSA 'ten+' Card Purchase Fee This is the one-time fee for the physical rechargeable card. | $2.35 €2 |
| TITSA Single Ticket (Minimum) $1.47 / €1.25 is the standard minimum urban fare; longer routes cost more. | $1.47 €1.25 |
| Airport Transfer (TFS to Costa Adeje) by Taxi Surcharge applies for nights (22:00–06:00) and public holidays (~$5.89 / €5). | $41 €35 |
| Car Rental (Daily Economy) Local companies like CICAR or Autoreisen offer best value with no hidden fees. | $35 €30 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey (5-star) Premium colonial-style hotel in Santa Cruz. Price converts to ~$198 / €168. | $168 €143 |
| Hotel Emblemático Hi Suites Boutique accommodation in the city center. Price converts to ~$165 / €140. | $140 €119 |
| Hostel Dorm Bed Cheaper in Santa Cruz/La Laguna (~$26 / €22); more expensive in south resorts. | $33 €28 |
Activities (7)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Whale & Dolphin Watching Eco-Tour Highest standard adult rate for a high-end eco-tour. | $71 €60 |
| Teide National Park Protected Area Access New eco-tax effective from 2026 for non-residents. Residents are exempt. | $18 €15 |
| Loro Parque Entrance Standard adult entry for non-residents. Twin tickets with Siam Park save ~$12 / €10. | $49 €42 |
| Siam Park Entrance One-day adult ticket. Consider the $87 / €74 Twin Ticket if visiting both parks. | $49 €42 |
| Cueva del Viento Guided Tour Includes guide and safety equipment. Advance booking is mandatory. | $24 €20 |
| Barranco del Infierno Hiking Fee Capacity is limited to 300 people per day; pre-booking required. | $13 €11 |
| Mount Teide Cable Car (Return) Price for a return journey for non-residents. One-way is ~$26 / €22. | $48 €41 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining ranges from inexpensive local cafe meals at $18 / €15 to high-end Michelin-starred experiences in Costa Adeje. To keep costs low, travelers can utilize local supermarkets where breakfast essentials cost roughly $6.51 / €5.53, or enjoy a pint of local Dorada beer for approximately $2.94 / €2.5. A 7% IGIC (Canary Island Tax) is standard, though many cafes may also add a terrace service charge of up to $1.18 / €1 for outdoor seating.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Guachinche El Primero
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Tacoronte · Local chain
Try the 'Carne Fiesta' for ~$11 / €9; it's a local pork specialty.
Arepera La Carajita
$4.71–$11 / €4–€9Santa Cruz · Street food area
The 'Pabellón' arepa is a filling meal for under ~$7.06 / €6.
Bar Parada
$5.89–$14 / €5–€12La Laguna · Local chain
Legendary for their 'Bocadillo de Pollo' which is about ~$5.89 / €5.
Cafetería El Águila
$3.53–$9.42 / €3–€8Puerto de la Cruz · Bakery
Best spot for a quick breakfast of 'Tostada' and juice for ~$6.47 / €5.5.
Pizzería Da Canio
$11–$19 / €9–€16Costa Adeje · Local chain
Massive portions that are easy to share, saving ~$9.42 / €8 per person.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the island is most cost-effective via the TITSA bus network, which offers a 7-day unlimited travelcard for $59 / €50 plus a $2.35 / €2 card fee. For maximum flexibility, car rentals are a popular choice at roughly $35 / €30 per day through local providers like CICAR. Taxis provide a convenient but more expensive alternative, with a standard transfer from Tenerife South Airport (TFS) to Costa Adeje costing approximately $41 / €35.
Accommodation Overview
The island's lodging varies from social hostel dorms for $33 / €28 to boutique city center suites like Hotel Emblemático Hi Suites for $165 / €140. For those seeking luxury, historic properties such as the Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey offer premium stays for approximately $198 / €168. The best value is often found in the north of the island or by booking in May when rates typically drop by $12–$18 / €10–€15.
Accommodation Budget in Tenerife
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Twin Ticket for $87 / €74 to visit both Loro Parque and Siam Park, saving roughly $12 / €10 compared to buying individual $49 / €42 tickets.
- 2 Eat at a traditional 'Guachinche' such as Guachinche El Primero in Tacoronte for authentic, low-cost Canarian food and local wine.
- 3 Order a 'Cortado' or 'Barraquito' at local cafes like Bar Parada for approximately $1.41 / €1.2 instead of a standard $2 / €1.7 cappuccino.
- 4 Use the TITSA 'ten+' rechargeable card to lower individual bus fares from the $1.47 / €1.25 minimum to discounted rates on longer routes.
- 5 Rent a car from local companies like CICAR or Autoreisen for $35 / €30 per day to avoid the high insurance surcharges of international chains.
- 6 Visit popular beaches like Playa de las Teresitas during the week to avoid the weekend premium on local food and sunbed rentals.
- 7 Book a guided tour of Cueva del Viento for $24 / €20 well in advance, as last-minute private alternatives are significantly more expensive.
- 8 Shop at supermarkets like Mercadona or HiperDino for essentials to keep the daily grocery spend around $6.51 / €5.53.
- 9 Look for 'Menú del Día' lunch specials at spots like Arepera La Carajita for a multi-course meal at a fixed low price.
- 10 Hike the Barranco del Infierno for $13 / €11 by pre-booking online to avoid being turned away by the 300-person daily limit.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
+25-40%
May, Jun, Sep
-20-30%
May, Oct
Tenerife is a year-round destination, but winter attracts northern Europeans. May offers $12–$18 / €10–€15 cheaper hotel rates and perfect ~24°C (75°F) weather.
Events to Watch
- ● Carnival (Feb): +50% hotels in Santa Cruz
- ● Easter (Semana Santa): Peak flight and hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Sunbathing at Playa de Las Teresitas, a golden sand beach just north of Santa Cruz.
- 2 Walking through the UNESCO World Heritage streets of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
- 3 Exploring the lush trails of the Anaga Rural Park (hikes like Sendero de los Sentidos are free).
- 4 Swimming in the natural volcanic rock pools of El Caletón in Garachico.
- 5 Visiting the Basilica of Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands.
- 6 Strolling through the sculptures and botanical gardens of Parque García Sanabria in Santa Cruz.
- 7 Taking in the views of the 600-meter cliffs at the Los Gigantes viewpoint.
- 8 Watching the sunset from the volcanic sands of Playa de la Arena in Puerto de la Cruz.
- 9 Viewing the ancient Drago Milenario tree from the public square in Icod de los Vinos.
- 10 Hiking the forest trails of the Orotava Valley for views of Mount Teide.
- 11 Exploring the street art and murals in the neighborhood of Puerto de la Cruz.
- 12 Stargazing independently from various viewpoints within Teide National Park (away from the $48 / €41 cable car area).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Michelin Star Dinner at M.B (Ritz-Carlton)
One of the best dining experiences in Spain. Tasting menus start around $230 / €195.
Private Star-Gazing Tour on Mount Teide
Tenerife is a 'Starlight Destination'. Includes professional telescopes and dinner at ~$141 / €120.
Paragliding over Costa Adeje
Unbeatable views of the volcanic landscape and coastline for ~$112 / €95.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Tenerife
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Tenerife and what they cost
La Gomera Island
$99 / €84 by boat
Free
$165 / €140
Masca Village & Ravine Hike
$18 / €15 by bus + boat
Free
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Everywhere including street food stalls and taxis.
Tipping is not mandatory but 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Rounding up the nearest ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 is common in cafes.
Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs due to high conversion fees. Use 'CaixaBank' or 'BBVA' for lower fees, typically ~$0–$2.35 / €0–€2 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.42–$14 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 at the airport for 40GB (Vodafone/Movistar)
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, hotels, and public plazas in major towns.
Airalo or Holafly eSIMs offer the best value for coverage across the island.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Tenerife.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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